The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) arrested a foreign pilot, identified by his initials, RS, for alleged drug possession and use on the popular holiday island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
BNN conducted a routine drug inspection on flight crews yesterday at Lombok International Airport and said they had found out that RS had been consuming illegal narcotics. They then found out that RS was also in possession of drugs after searching through his luggage.
“BNN NTB arrested RS and found hash wrapped in plastic and placed inside a tin box,” said BNN drug control head Armand Depari, as quoted by CNN Indonesia today.
RS was named a suspect and taken to BNN headquarters in Jakarta for questioning.
BNN did not reveal what airline RS works for, his nationality, or whether or not he was going to fly a plane with drugs in his system.
RS wouldn’t be the first airline crew caught by BNN for illegal narcotics consumption. In 2015, BNN arrested a pilot and two flight attendants who worked for budget airline Lion Air at a “drug party” in South Tangerang, and, between 2012-2015, three Lion Air pilots were arrested for drug use.
Though not narcotics-related, the most recent pilot scandal in Indonesia involved a visibly intoxicated pilot for Citilink almost flying a plane.
Possession of illegal narcotics is punishable by the death penalty in Indonesia. The country had executed foreign nationals in the past for drug possession and trafficking, such as the Bali Nine drug smugglers, despite outcry from the global community.
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